Girard mayor announces candidacy
The filing deadline for the May primary is Feb. 16.
By ED RUNYAN
and JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The field of Democratic hopefuls for Trumbull County commissioner now stands at three -- with two others undecided and one more unconfirmed.
Girard Mayor James Melfi officially announced his candidacy Tuesday, standing before a blue "Jim Melfi Democrat for Commissioner" sign.
Others who have indicated that they will run for the office are Niles Councilman Frank Fuda, who has filed nominating petitions, and Warren Council President Robert Marchese, who has taken out petitions.
Two others said to be interested -- Liberty Township Administrator Pat Ungaro and Hubbard Mayor Art Magee -- say they probably will not run. Mauro Cantalamessa, owner of Enzo's Restaurant in Warren, is said by some party faithful to be interested but could not be reached to confirm this.
The filing deadline for the May primary is Feb. 16. The job pays $73,627 annually.
Cites qualifications
Melfi said his six years' experience as mayor has prepared him for the challenges that will come with being a county commissioner.
"I will bring proven knowledge and experience to the job of county commissioner," he said.
Melfi used the city's changing financial picture to illustrate his ability to lead and operate effectively with little or no money.
Girard faced a deficit of $1,950,000 when the city was placed in fiscal emergency in August 2001. Melfi said the city started 2005 with a $1.1 million deficit but managed to reduce that by more than $750,000.
Melfi said he would advocate communities' working with one another to accomplish larger projects and objectives. He said Girard in the past worked with Liberty Township for the betterment of both communities, including the laying of thousands of feet of waterlines in the township.
Melfi said the county must make a better effort to be recognized by the state and in Washington.
Approached to run
Ungaro has long been associated with Mahoning County politics, having served as Youngstown mayor 14 years and Youngstown councilman before that.
Ungaro and Magee said they have been contacted by people asking if they are going to run for commissioner. Both said that they probably will not but that the attention is flattering. Both also said they are happy doing what they do now.
"I won't say 100 percent no, but probably no," said Ungaro, who moved his family from his home in Youngstown to one in Liberty in 2002 and has worked for the township since about that same time.
Magee, 69, was Trumbull commissioner from 1983 through 1998, when he lost a low-turnout Democratic primary to Jim Tsagaris -- who is not seeking re-election.
"Have I made up my mind? No," Magee said. He said the biggest problem is that he's a "poor fund-raiser," and he estimates it would cost between $60,000 and $100,000 to run such a campaign.
He said that he has mostly kept a promise to his wife that he would not borrow money to run for elective office, and that he doesn't want to do it this time.
Republican candidate
The county Republican Party is expected to have one candidate, former Warren Council candidate Niki Frenchko, who said she will run.
Frenchko ran twice for council for an at-large position and lost, most recently last November. Frenchko works in the Austintown office of CT Consultants Inc., doing community development and grant writing. She formerly worked for the Trumbull County Planning Commission.